Creative Knoxville

John Ritchie: Thoughts You Can Really Use: Times Have Changed!

2011-02-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

John Ritchie: Thoughts You Can Really Use: Times Have Changed!: "Times have changed! We use to talk in terms of 10 year trends. Now conditions may change drastically in a week. Communications is the topic ..."

Reblog: John Ritchie: Thoughts You Can Really Use: The Importance of Listening

2010-11-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

John has some good points that, as commercial artists, marketers, and even commissioned artists, we can implement into our business life. I encourage you to follow his blog.
-elm

John Ritchie: Thoughts You Can Really Use: The Importance of Listening: "I have been asked to start a blog by many of the people I have trained over the years with helpful tips. So here is the first. Future blogs ..."

New Graphic Design Book...

2010-10-19T06:12:00.000-07:00

From Marian Bantjes, Master of frills.

New Job

2010-05-14T18:51:00.001-07:00

Wow - bit of a whirlwind couple weeks. I've accepted a new position and am totally pumped about it!!

10 Essential Tools for Social Networking Design Pros

2010-03-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

10 Essential Tools for Social Networking Design Pros

Selling your work in Galleries

2010-01-29T10:17:00.000-08:00

An Insider's Story

Your Creative Drive...

2010-01-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

"The foundation of a successful designer is measured by his/her creative drive."

http://designinformer.com/your-creative-drive/

Sorry for the lack of posts

2010-01-23T04:47:00.001-08:00

More to come shortly!

How to Network With Busy People

2009-08-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

How to Network With Busy People

Design Sojourn | Strategic Industrial Design Blog � 5 Steps to a Better Design Brief

2009-08-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

5 Steps to a Better Design Brief

Public Service: Swine Flu

2009-07-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

A timely reminder to continue to use caution as the Swine Flu is expected to spread again with the beginning of public schools and universities around the country. Scientists are urging people to get their regular flu vaccination as well as the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available (likely late October). Please visit CDC.gov or FluTracker

Great Mobile Tie-In Idea

2009-07-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

2009-07-27T06:01:00.001-07:00

Make Friends, Not Contacts

2009-07-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Visual Ambassador � Blog Archive � Make Friends, Not Contacts

It didn’t take too long to realize that one of the keys in having a successful creative career is making friends, not contacts. You hear it all the time: “network.”

Networking is bogus, though. We live and work in a world based on relationships, not transactions. To have the opportunity to create meaningful work, one should strive on fostering meaningful friendships. As opposed to trying to “network,” aim for immersing yourself within a community of people who give a damn.

.......

Nano Networking!

2009-06-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Nano Networking!:

Excellent Networking Site... highly recommended.

Free People Clothing Boutique Blog > games & entertainment > what is your colorscope?

2009-06-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Free People Clothing Boutique Blog > games & entertainment > what is your colorscope?: "June 24, 2009
what is your colorscope?

Susie at Apartment Therapy came across a fun little tool on Paper Source's site: the colorscope!
The colorscope seeks to explain a bit about your personality based on the colors you like the best. Who knows where they came up with the personality traits you supposedly have if you like, say, plum, but it's still really fun!

Networking Tips for the Introverted

2009-06-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

http://lifehacker.com/5301921/networking-tips-for-the-introverted

While talent and skills factor into job success, it's also important to know the right people. To do so often requires getting out there and networking. The NYT has tailored some how-to tips for the introverted and network-phobic crowd.

Photo by Noah Sussman.

Among the tidbits offered, the article suggests networking in person. Though perhaps intuitive and inviting for the more gregarious worker, this is an especially important step for the shy employee who may prefer to limit the crux of his communications to emails and IM chats. While both are important to establishing and maintaining a relationship, meeting up in-person is vital. The NYT bluntly says to force yourself to do so. Making a bee line to the bar or buffet, if there is one, is a classic way to get the ball rolling. The article also claims that being an introvert can even help your networking efforts.

Introverts are intuitive and analytical. Use that skill. After you have been networking for a while, ask, "What is working? What isn't? Where do you get the most bang for your buck?"

Check out the full article for the detailed list of tips, then browse our related post on avoiding the seven deadly sins of networking to help get you moving up the ladder.

Networking For The Shy Entrepreneur [New York Times]

Crazy Enough (Film Title Sequence) | Design You Trust. World's Most Provocative Social Inspiration.

2009-06-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

Crazy Enough (Film Title Sequence) | Design You Trust. World's Most Provocative Social Inspiration.

fun title sequence

Good article on Web hosting...

2009-06-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Migrated from Dreamhost to Knownhost VPS Hosting
Good article on affordable host solutions. in addition th their recommendations, I've had good results with SiteGround.com

Lifehacker - Re-Establish the Weekly Review Habit - Getting Things Done

2009-06-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

Lifehacker - Re-Establish the Weekly Review Habit - Getting Things Done: "Re-Establish the Weekly Review Habit"

Good Business (HOW Blog)

2009-06-18T16:47:00.000-07:00

From the HOW Blog

Good Business

We've had a number of e-mails recently about how creatives are making wise use of project resources and otherwise strategically staying ahead in this rough-but-improving economy. Here's some smart business thinking:

Mary-Lynn Bellamy-Willms, CEO of Suburbia Advertising and FunctionFox in Vancouver, BC, shared a few insights on how creative firms can improve their bottom lines right now, including:
1) Fire the bad clients--the ones that cost you money. Just do it.
2) Don’t sell yourself cheap--By low-balling a budget just to win a new client, your company will forever be branded as a cheap supplier. Even now, the more you cost, the more clients will value you.
3) Never work for free, even for a good cause--Bellamy-Willms suggests that you ask to get paid your full rate and donate back the profit--15-20%--at the end of the year. Get more business resources from the company here.

Larry Melnick of Hunter Business Development (who's speaking at this year'sMind Your Own Business Conference) tells us that B2B marketers expect their budget crunches to end later this year and into 2010. Which means work will start flowing again. What can design firms do to position themselves for this uptick in business? Larry advises:
* Reach out consistently to engage the right new prospects in a quality way
* Articulate your value through powerful case histories
* Regularly share your knowledge so you become a trusted advisor
* Cultivate relationships by staying in front of prospects

Finally, a recent survey of 300 creative professionals by Shutterstock found that, not surprisingly, designers are dealing with tighter project budgets right now. According to the report:
* 40% of art directors polled cite budget decreases vs. a year ago
* 22% are doing more work for less profit vs. a year ago
* two-thirds are doing more in-house production as a cost-saving measure
* 51% are using online royalty-free stock and 21% are using stock-image subscription services--all with the aim of saving money